We're proud to share that each year our scholarship awards have grown, thanks to our generous donors, and their commitment to helping students of all backgrounds in Napa Valley achieve their full potential.

More than ever, young people in our community need financial support to pursue post-secondary education--at colleges, universities or vocational training schools.

57 Local Students Selected to Receive $128,300 in Scholarship Awards from Napa Valley Community Foundation

Napa, CA - May 25, 2017 - Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) has awarded scholarships totaling $128,300 to 57 local students, an increase of more than a dozen students and $25,000 from 2016. Among this year's scholarship recipients: local military veterans who are receiving financial support thanks to The George and Gwendolyn Goodin Scholarship Fund, a permanent endowment that was established at NVCF with a gift from the estate of George and Gwendolyn Goodin, longtime residents of Yountville; and, recent graduates from local public high schools, and transfer students from Napa Valley College, many of whom are the first in their family to pursue a four-year college education, courtesy of The Fruit of the Vine Scholarship Fund, which was established by an anonymous Napa Valley winegrower. Also included are scholarship recipients from the following Funds: The Edward W. Solomon and the Judith B. Cutcomb Scholarship Funds for teachers throughout the Valley; The Ted Kohler Music Scholarship Fund for Calistoga students studying music; and, The Lenore Hirsch-Jay Falk Scholarship Fund for Napa County students who have worked hard to overcome academic challenges, and will attend a two- or four-year college program in general education.

Scholarship awards ranged from $350 to $6,100 per student, and the average amount awarded was $2,250. Approximately 36 percent of scholarship recipients are enrolled (or planning to enroll) at University of California campuses or private universities; roughly 28 percent have enrolled in community colleges (most often Napa Valley College); and, 17 percent have enrolled in the California State University system. Of those who will be attending California State University schools, University of California campuses or private universities, seven of the students are transferring from Napa Valley College.

"Our donors know that a college education is very important, and they understand that paying for it is beyond the reach of too many families in our community," said NVCF President Terence Mulligan. "Through our growing Scholarship Funds, we have the honor of watching the successful academic careers of many deserving local students, from high school to community college to four-year universities."

Since 2015, NVCF's scholarship awards have doubled.

"I can't thank NVCF enough for giving me this wonderful opportunity to study at such a prestigious university," said Jan Eric De Castro, student at University of California, San Diego and multiple-time The Fruit of the Vine Scholarship Fund recipient.

Cassidy Nolan, who will be transferring to Haas School of Business at University of California, Berkeley in the fall, and is a previous and/or current recipient of the George and Gwendolyn Goodin and The Fruit of the Vine Scholarship Funds, said, "I wouldn't be standing here today if it were not for NVCF's generosity in the amount of time, effort and capital invested in students attending higher education."

If you'd like to learn more about setting up, or contributing to, a Scholarship Fund at NVCF, please contact Adrienne D. Capps, Vice President of Development, at (707) 254.9565 x23.

About Napa Valley Community Foundation

Napa Valley Community Foundation helps donors transform their passion for giving into greater impact. Now celebrating more than 20 years of service to Napa Valley, NVCF has served as a bridge between philanthropic families and hard-working nonprofit agencies since 1994, bringing people, ideas and resources together to enhance the quality of life in our community. From American Canyon to Calistoga, NVCF has distributed more than $40 million in grants since it was founded, and currently serves as the philanthropic partner to 100 individuals, families, nonprofit agencies and corporations in Napa Valley. To learn more visit www.napavalleycf.org.